Young People's Group

BEARING THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

January 26, 2014

The Flesh Versus The Spirit

There is this innate tendency within people to allow the ways of the flesh to get the better of them. The Apostle Paul had established in his epistle to the Galatians that Christians are no longer under the bondage of the Mosaic Law. And yet, with this spiritual liberty, they must not allow themselves to give opportunity to the flesh (Galatians 5:13). There was this problem of false teachings infiltrating the Church and this brought about arguments and conflicts among each other. Paul recognised that there was a deeper spiritual tussle going on within them; one between the flesh and the Holy Spirit.

“For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” 
Galatians 5:17

When people allow themselves to be caught up with the ways of the flesh, it would constantly go against the things of the Spirit. The flesh and the Spirit are totally in opposition to each other. People often found themselves doing the things that they do not wish to do: the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). There would be contentions, hatred, dissensions and the list goes on. Paul challenged the Galatians to be filled with the fruit of the Spirit instead.

Manifesting The Fruit Of The Spirit

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” 
Galatians 5:22-23

It is quite obvious when we are bearing the fruit of the Spirit in our life. There would come a special sense of love for people. The Spirit of God would generate within us joy, peace, patience and kindness in all that we do. There would be goodness in our heart. We would have faithfulness, gentleness and personal self-control as we relate to people. We would not seek to provoke and envy each other. Let’s pray that the Spirit of God would help us to bear more fruit in our life.

The Challenge To Cultivate The Fruit Of The Spirit

1. Crucifying The Flesh And All That Goes With It

“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” 
Galatians 5:24

If we truly belong to the Lord, we will do all we can to eradicate our own passions and sinful desires. We are meant to put to death our old sinful self and ways. Let’s give no opportunity to the flesh.

2. Being Led By The Spirit

“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” 
Galatians 5:18

Let’s learn to be led by the Spirit since the law has no longer any power over us. Our challenge is to be able to be sensitive to the leading of the Lord through His Spirit. Let’s learn to yield to the Spirit.

3. Walking In The Spirit

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” 
Galatians 5:25

Let’s seek to walk each day according to the leading of the Spirit. As we live in the realm of the Spirit, may we seek to practise all that we have learnt from the Scriptures. Let’s live our life according to the Spirit so that we can be gentle and kind in all our dealings with each other.

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